JK Rowling has hit back at Irish Eurovision hopefuls Wild Youth after the band cut ties with their choreographer over social media comments.
On Tuesday, Wild Youth stated they stood for "unity and kindness" in their statement and said they had cut all ties with Ian. The band apologised for comments allegedly made by Mr Banham who was criticised online for making statements about trans people, the war in Ukraine, Ukraine's victory in last year's Eurovision, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has now has come out in support of Mr Banham today Rowling criticised Wild Youth. She also posted a defence of the creative director alongside the hashtag #IStandWithIanBanham.
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Rowling tweeted: "The re-traumatisation of female rape survivors, including this man’s victims, on seeing him called a woman by the press counts for nothing, naturally.
"The so-called kindness and inclusivity of @bandwildyouth is preening, self-satisfied misogyny. #IStandWithIanBanham." Rowling then added a second tweet: "For those confused as to why Ian Banham was fired and publicly lambasted by @bandwildyouth, here’s one of his "horrifying’ tweets".
"His crime is standing against the insanity of pretending knife-wielding rapists are women if they say they are." Wild Youth have yet to respond to Rowling's tweets at this time.
The Dublin band will perform their song We Are One at the Liverpool Arena during the first semi-final stage on Tuesday 9 May in a bid to make the grand final.
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